Caymanian attorney called to bar before packed courtroom

Another Caymanian attorney was called to the bar on 8 July in front of a packed court room of supporters and well wishers.

Desiree Sampang received her Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Liverpool with Upper Second Class Honours in the summer of 2009, having studied at the Cayman Islands Law School.

Prior to embarking on her legal studies, Ms Sampang obtained a Bachelor of Science in international finance Magna Cum Laude and a Masters in Business Administration from the International College of the Cayman Islands. She is also a Certified Public Accountant, licenced by the State of Indiana in the United States.

She attributed much of her success to the solid grounding that was instilled in her by her mother and acknowledged her daughter as being her driving force in her life for the past two decades.

With more than 15 years of experience in the funds industry, having worked for fund administrators such as Fortis, Citco, and UBS, where she was formerly a deputy group head of funds. She then worked at the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority where she was a senior analyst in the investments division.

Most recently, between 2008 and commencing her articles, Ms Sampang worked with the Appleby law firm as a paralegal.

In 2010, she undertook the Professional Practice Course at the Cayman Islands Law School, successfully completing her studies in the summer of 2010, with Commendation.

“Appleby is pleased to have been in a position to sponsor her through her third year of law school, as well as throughout her Professional Practitioner’s Course,” said Appleby partner Nicolas Joseph.

Ms Sampsang was articled to Bryan Hunter of Appleby’s Corporate and Commercial Department and formally concluded her Articles at the end of June. Though she has been exposed to all major areas of practice, it is anticipated that, she will enter into the banking and asset finance team of Appleby’s Corporate and Commercial Department, working directly in relation to structured finance with Mr. Julian Black and Ms Nicola Bashforth.

Upon accepting Ms Sampangs application to the bar, Justice Henderson told her that the law profession was an ancient and noble one, adding that it was evident that she had worked hard in trying circumstances.

Justice Henderson also reminded her that law is an endless subject and as such the journey had only just begun.

In her remarks Ms Sampang thanked all who had come to wish her well on the occasion, including her brothers who travelled from New York to be at the bar call. Additionally, she thanked the Law School for its “perpetual support in imparting knowledge and experience, as well as the Legal Advisory Board and Appleby.

“I shall serve to the utmost of my ability, with integrity and fervour,” she said.